Thousands of cobbles were taken from along the length of Brecon Street in the Kensington area of the city.

The daring raid has left the small road potholed and flooded with rain water.

It is believed a digger and a lorry were used to uproot about 5,000 cobble stones from the 100-yard road.

Potholed malaise

Inspector Stuart Eckford of Merseyside Police said a garage owner on the street called officers on Monday to say that the cobbles had been stolen.

He said: "It appears that the cobbles were taken over the weekend and we are looking to trace those responsible.

"Each cobble is worth between £5 and £10 so on this stretch of road, which is about 50 metres long and about 20 metres wide, it will cost a lot of money to replace them.

"What is left now is just a potholed malaise and the rain has flooded the road."

He added that Brecon Street may also be an unadopted road, which means that it would not be the responsibility of the local council.